To be known or not, that is the question!

Andy Stanly, Lead Pastor of North Point Ministries, in a talk at Catalyst 2013 remarked that we as people have an appetite for praise. We long to be known by others and for others to know us at least at some level. Consider with me social media including facebook and twitter. There is a level of knowing that is possible by reading what people write or following them on twitter. However, it is a level that they dictate. We know them without the benefit of 80%-85% of the communication clues afforded to us in face to face, mouth to ear contact. Maybe that is good however it leads to a lot of misunderstanding but also anonymity, the un-known.

It seems strange to use a vehicle that makes us known to remain un-known. That’s just people for you. I agree we have this appetite to be known. It is satisfied for moments and then we are hungry again. Almost weekly without fail I come home from church and ask my wife, “how was the preacher today (in that third person)?” It’s my appetite to be known and affirmed. I have been riding home thinking, “I should have said that,” or I went on too long,” or “that was a mess.” Barbara to her credit will roll her eyes and say most days, “he was good.” Honestly, I’m not sure if it is true but she said it and my appetite is satisfied until next week. That’s the way appetites go. You are ravenously hungry for a moment and then satisfied the next but you will be hungry again. It is so when we seek the praise, the “known” of men. Their affirmation lasts for a while but then we are hungry again.

Many years ago I would take students out following a Sunday evening service to eat. The dilemma was always where to go because as soon as I mentioned a place someone would say, “I hate that,” but no one would say where they wanted to go for fear of making their choice known and being shot down. So, I learned to start by asking, “Where do you NOT want to go.” I ALWAYS got a response to that and in the following minutes a place would rise to the top that no one hated. No one liked either but at least no one hated.  In our appetite to be known we often seek the affirmation of people. If they don’t give it we are devastated. When Barbara responds to my question with, “Not so good,” or “I didn’t pay attention,” I immediately go down this path of solving the problem of WHY. Driven more so out of my need to be known, I make her and me crazy analyzing what was wrong and how can I fix it.

At the same Catalyst conference Jud Wilhite said, “God did not call you to bear fruit but to be faithful.” God does not love us because of what we can do but because we are his. John records the words of Jesus regarding being known.

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me…⁷ If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. ⁸ My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples. John 15:5, 7-8 HCSB

The only one who can satisfy the appetite for being known is the One who knew us before time and will know us after time ends. Praise of people is fickle and fleeting. One moment you are the “cat’s meow” and the next you are the “cats droppings.” Not so with God, the One who really knows you. There is no anonymity with him. The ugly is exposed and He alone loves you still. He alone died so that you might know him. It has never been what you could do to gain his approval but what will do in response to hi s request. Your faithfulness is what God counts as success not your fruit.

We have the right question. We just keep asking it of the wrong person. The One to ask is the one who made us is remaking us and freed from sin and its’ effects. It is only his answer, “I know,” that will satisfy your appetite for praise and being known.

We want to be known and the good news is you are!                 

In HIS Service and Yours,

BroG